12.  MONOGAMY (SINGLE WIFE), is a law of nature evident from the fact that it fulfills the three essential conditions of man, viz.:  the development of the individual, the welfare of society and reproduction.  In no nation with a system of polygamy do we find a code of political and moral rights, and the condition of woman is that of a slave.  In polygamous countries nothing is added to the education and civilization.  The natural tendency is sensualism, and sensualism tends to mental starvation.

18.  CHRISTIAN CIVILIZATION has lifted woman from slavery to liberty.  Wherever Christian civilization prevails there are legal marriages, pure homes and education.  May God bless the purity of the home.

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MARRIAGE.

  “Thus grief still treads upon the heel of pleasure,
  Married in haste we may repent at leisure.” 
  —­SHAKESPEARE

The parties are wedded.  The priest or clergyman has pronounced as one those hearts that before beat in unison with each other.  The assembled guests congratulate the happy pair.  The fair bride has left her dear mother bedewed with tears and sobbing just as if her heart would break, and as if the happy bridegroom was leading her away captive against her will.  They enter the carriage.  It drives off on the wedding tour, and his arms encircles the yielding waist of her now all his own, while her head reclines on the breast of the man of her choice.  If she be young and has married an old man, she will be sad.  If she has married for a home, or position, or wealth, a pang will shoot across her fair bosom.  If she has married without due consideration or on too light an acquaintance, it will be her sorrow before long.  But, if loving and beloved, she has united her destiny with a worthy man, she will rejoice, and on her journey feel a glow of satisfaction and delight unfelt before and which will be often renewed, and daily prove as the living waters from some perennial spring.

[Illustration]

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THE ADVANTAGES OF WEDLOCK.

  ’Tis sweet to hear the watch-dog’s honest bark,
  Bay deep-mouthed welcome as we draw near home
  ’Tis sweet to know there is an eye will mark
  Our coming, and look brighter when we come. 
  BYRON, DON JUAN

1.  Marriage is the natural state of man and woman.  Matrimony greatly contributes to the wealth and health of man.

2.  Circumstances may compel a man not to select a companion until late in life.  Many may have parents or relatives, dependent brothers and sisters to care for, yet family ties are cultivated; notwithstanding the home is without a wife.

3.  In Christian countries the laws of marriage have greatly added to the health of man.  Marriage in barbarous countries, where little or no marriage ceremonies are required, benefits man but little.  There can be no true domestic blessedness without loyalty and love for the select and married companion.  All the licentiousness and lust of a libertine, whether civilized or uncivilized, bring him only unrest and premature decay.